Steven Mark Gaskell: Water Wars - When “Co-Governance” Becomes “You Sit Down, We’re in Charge”

Well, here we go again. Another round of “give us control” dressed up as cultural justice.

This time, it’s Ngāi Tahu marching into the High Court demanding rangatiratanga over freshwater. That’s not just some symbolic title—they want the power to make, regulate, alter, and enforce water decisions. In other words, they want to hold the hose, write the rules, and charge you rent to drink from your own tap.

Michael Laws Criticises Ngāi Tahu’s Water Management Plan

Michael Laws Criticises Ngāi Tahu’s Water Management Plan on The Platform.

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Centrist: Ngāi Tahu fights Crown in court over freshwater co-management

In a case that has major implications for co-governance, Ngāi Tahu is suing the Crown in a landmark High Court case to force co-management of South Island freshwater resources.

The government, however, is pushing back hard, arguing that Ngāi Tahu’s claims have no legal standing beyond historical settlements.